Create Your Own Wellbeing Bag

It's Children's Mental Health Week from Monday 9 to Sunday 15 February and we're giving you the chance to make your own wellbeing bag. Collect your free bag from the Town Hall throughout the week and follow the instructions below to make your own.

Why Make a Wellbeing Bag?

We know that when children feel listened to and know where to go for help and support, it can make it easier if they feel worried or unsafe.

Creating a wellbeing bag is a wonderful way to collect all the things that can help when life feels difficult. You could make one for yourself too!

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What You'll Need:

• A plain bag – you can collect a free one from the Town Hall from Monday 9 to Sunday 15 February!
• Materials to personalise your bag: markers, stickers, paint, or fabric pens
• Items that make you feel safe, happy, and calm

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Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Decorate Your Bag

Make your wellbeing bag special by decorating it in a way that brings you joy. You could add:

• Colourful patterns or drawings
• Your favourite colours
• Stickers or sparkles
• Positive messages or your name

Step 2: Talk About Why You're Creating It

Before you start filling your bag, take a moment to chat about what it's for. Your wellbeing bag is a collection of things that can help you when things feel difficult or overwhelming.

Step 3: Think About What Helps You

Ask yourself these questions:

• What makes me feel better when I'm worried or sad?
• Who can I talk to?
• What activities or items bring me comfort?

Step 4: Fill Your Bag with Comfort Items

Your wellbeing bag is personal to you. Here are some ideas of what you might include:

People Who Care:

• Photos or drawings of your trusted adults
• Messages or cards from friends and family
• Contact details for people who support you

Happy Memories:

• A keepsake from a special trip
• A pebble from the beach
• Photos of places where you felt happy

Things That Soothe:

• A soft feather (to help calm your breathing)
• A glitter ball to watch
• A squeeze ball or smooth stone
• Your favourite small teddy or toy
• A fidget toy

A Space to Express:

• A notepad to write down your thoughts or things you'd like to share

Step 5: Keep Your Bag Somewhere Safe

Put your wellbeing bag in a place where you can easily reach it when you need it. Knowing it's there can be comforting all by itself.

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Create Together

If you're making wellbeing bags as a family, share what you're putting in yours and why. Talking about what helps each of us can bring families closer together and help everyone feel supported.

Every person's wellbeing bag will be unique, just like them. There's no right or wrong way to create yours, it's all about what works for you.

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This activity supports Children's Mental Health Week and helps children build their own toolkit for emotional wellbeing.